Hokies play turnaround game vs. Clemson

After wrapping up Virginia Tech's 74-70 win over North Carolina on Thursday night, Hokie Coach Seth Greenberg walked off the court and hugged his smiling daughters Paige and Ella. But the good feeling did not have much shelf life.

At that moment, Virginia Tech (17-4, 4-3) was some 40 hours from tipping off against Clemson (16-6, 4-4) in an unforgiving turnaround game. Not every Atlantic Coast Conference team plays a turnaround game, but it is a mental and physical challenge for those who do.

"The reality is you can go walk around and celebrate downtown and everyone will pat you on the back," Greenberg said after beating the Tar Heels, "but it's not going to help you beat Clemson."

In practice this week, Virginia Tech looked ahead and prepared for Clemson and attacking its press offense. James Johnson, a Hokies assistant coach, already prepared a scouting report on the Tigers.

"It's going to be real tough because Carolina's a half-court team and Clemson goes up and down the floor," guard Dorenzo Hudson said. "So it's a mind-set of getting back and running the floor like you usually do."

Aside from the mental aspect of the turnaround, part of the difficulty is keeping players fresh. The plan on Friday for Virginia Tech was to watch film on North Carolina game and to then work out lightly.

Guard Malcolm Delaney said he would try to go to bed early on Friday night and take naps to stay fresh. He did not, however, have to attend his 10:10 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. classes on Friday because the university closed as a result of the massive snow storm approaching the area.

In each of the past two years, Virginia Tech had to make a grueling turnaround trip to Boston College.

"On the turnaround game, that’s what makes you sore, having to get up and travel," Delaney said.